Is the aim of the English health care system to maximize QALYs?

Abstract

Objectives: To compare the types of benefit considered relevant by the English Department of Health with those included by the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) when conducting economic evaluations of options for spending limited health care resources. Methods:We analysed all policy Impact Assessments (IAs) carried out by the Department ofHealth (DH) in 2008 and 2009. The stated benefits of each policy were extracted and thematic analysis was used to categorise these. Results: 51 Impact Assessments were analysed, eight of which mentioned quality-adjusted life year (QALY) gains as a benefit. 18 benefits other than QALY gains were identified. Apart from improving hea..